(It was impulse engineering on Deck 5, not main engineering... didn't we already have a debate over this?) |
(I suggest you review the episodes in question and note there is no such room called impulse engineering, and everything is coordinated via deck 5 engineering in Corbomite Maneuver.) |
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| − | '''Main Engineering''' is usually located in a [[starship]]'s [[secondary hull]], from where the ship's main power systems are controlled. |
+ | '''Main Engineering''' is usually located in a [[starship]]'s [[secondary hull]], from where the ship's main power systems are controlled. The most notable exceptions to this placement are the NX and Constitution-class starships which had main engineering located in their saucers. |
== Overview == |
== Overview == |
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Revision as of 11:05, 30 September 2005
Main Engineering is usually located in a starship's secondary hull, from where the ship's main power systems are controlled. The most notable exceptions to this placement are the NX and Constitution-class starships which had main engineering located in their saucers.
Overview
Main Engineering's primary purpose is to be the central point for control of all engineering systems aboard a starship, especially those related to propulsion and power generation. The matter/antimatter reaction chamber (also known as the warp core) is located in Main Engineering.
For starship designs after the 23rd century, Main Engineering can be turned into a command and control center by converting a number of consoles to duplicate the stations on the bridge. The software is already preloaded onto these consoles and each vessel has specific procedures in place in case a situation warrants.
23rd century design
Towards the end of the 23rd century, the main engineering facility on refit Constitution class starships was moved to the secondary hull. The uppermost level served as the structural support strong back of the ship, and was the anchoring framework for the connecting dorsal and the warp nacelle pylons. On the forward end of this level would be the engineering computer monitoring room, which encircled the cortical intermix shaft and opened, to the rear, into the engineering computer bay. The rear bulkhead of the computer bay would contain an emergency section door which lowered to the deck below, and separated the warp engine room from the extended horizontal intermix area; the door dropped automatically in the event of a radiation leak or pressure loss.
The upper level of Main Engineering aboard a refit Constitution-class starship.
The lower level of Main Engineering aboard a refit Constitution-class starship.
On the Constitution-class starship, a narrow corridor bypassed the computer bay on the port side and lead aft ward down the centre of the level. On either side of this passageway were mounted the four manoeuvring thrusters which rested beneath the upper hull of the secondary hull strong back. These thrusters were used for vessel course control when within close proximity of drydock facilities.
The lower engineering deck would typically house Main Engineering. Located in the centre of the room, and extending for many levels both above and below the deck, would be the vertical linear intermix chamber. This complex, radically new design in intermix technology, provided operational power for the impulse drive system and furnishes enough additional energy to power all other shipboard systems. Both matter and antimatter for this chamber were contained in a series of magnetic bottles, which would normally be housed in pods at the base of the intermix shaft. These pods were be ejected from the ship in case of extreme emergency via two large blow-away panels in the outer hull. ("Star Trek: The Motion Picture")
24th century design
24th century starships featured a more modern approach to the engineering facility. Aboard the Galaxy-class starship, Main Engineering was an open-plan facility, directly accessible from the corridor. Consisting of two levels, it housed the starship's warp core and primary engineering support systems.
Main Engineering aboard a Galaxy-class starship.
The corridor bulkhead housed the master systems display. Inside the main section, the master systems display, affectionately known as the pool table, was the operational focus of the room. Beyond this, heading towards the warp core, the chief engineer's office and several support consoles were located on the left, and the assistant chief engineer's console on the right. These formed part of the bulkhead protecting the main part of engineering from the warp core. Access to the upper level, a circular area surrounding the warp core, could be found by a ladder on the left of the warp core or an elevator on the right. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")
Background information
The wall-size Okudagram in Main Engineering of the Enterprise-D reveals such secrets as the location of the ship's giant mouse, the giant duck, and what might be Gene Roddenberry's WWII bomber.